Ironer-washer attachment mechanism



March 1938. H. w. ALTORFER IRONER-WASHER ATTACHMENT MECHANISM Filed April 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN'SZDEHTEE..- M 70 W ATIYE.

March 1, 1938.. H. w. ALTORFER IRONER-WASHER ATTACHMENT MECHANISM Filed April 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVERTER- .BIT'IE.

Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IRONER-WASHER ATTACHMENT MEOH-' ANISM This invention has reference to ironer-washer attachment mechanism and has for its principal object to provide means for separably connecting the driving elements of a washing machine and an ironer, whereby an ironer may be driven by power originating in the power plant of a washing machine or conversely a washing machine mechanism may be driven by power derived from the driving means of an ironer.

A further object is to provide means whereby driving connection between the mechanisms may be quickly and conveniently accomplished.

An additional object is to provide separable means of connection as aforesaid, one element of which is associated with an ironing machine and a complemental element associated with the washing machine whereby upon placing one machine in proper position with respectto the other driving connection is conveniently effected.

A still further object lies in the provision of a washing machine mechanism provided with a power take-off mechanism and an ironing machine mechanism similarly equipped, the takeoff mechanisms being so designed as to be readily joined, whereby power from one mechanism may be transmitted to the other.

Another object is to provide means whereby the power plant of a washing machine may be utilized for driving other equipment to thus avoid the necessity of equipping ironing machines and the like with individual power plants, whereby ironing machines, adapted for use as described, may be placed on the market at a more reasonable cost.

Additional objects will appear inthe following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing a washing machine and an ironing machine in position to utilize my invention as will be described;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental elevational view showing a detail of structure to be referred to;

Fig. 3 is an elevational, partly sectionated view showing co-operative parts of the apparatus in separated relation;

Fig. 4 is a view showing parts disclosed in Fig, 3 in working position; and

Fig. 5 is a fractional plan view showing details of structure to be described.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 discloses a conventional washing machine III which includes a tub ll, a wringer support post l2, and a wringer mechanism l3. 7

The above apparatus is assumed to be provided with means for driving the moving parts thereof.

Positioned alongside the washing machine is a conventional ironing machine mechanism ll, the same including a table l5, and ironing roll I, and a housing II which is assumed to contain the driving mechanism of the ironer.

The above devices are shown to be connected by a a structure It which will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be noted that the wringer post structure l2 has positioned therein a vertical shaft I! which is assumed to be 10 the means of transmitting power from the motor of the washing machine to the wringer mechanism.

Disposed, in keyed relation, upon shaft I9 is a bevel gear 20 which is journalled in the post support structure as shown, and meshing with this gear is a complementary bevel gear 2| which is supported by means of its hub being journalled in a support structure 22 and suitably retained therein by means of a screw 23 engaged in an annular slot 24 in the hub.

Secured within the hub is the shank portion of a clutch member 25, the outer face of which is provided with dentures 26.

On the outer face of structure 22 there is diss posed a cover 21 which is pivotally supported for movement over or away from the opening in member 22 by means of a pin 28 resiliently supported in structure 22 by means of a spring 29.

The latter described cover mechanism is shown in somewhat more detail in Fig. 2.

The foregoing will indicate that, with the motor of the washing machine in operation, the shaft l3 will be continuously rotated whereby the gears 20 and 2|, together with clutch 25, will be continuously rotated.

Referring now to the ironing machine mocha-.- nism, it will be noted that a shaft 30, Fig. 4, which is assumed to be connected with a rotating element of the ironing machine, extends a short dis- Reference to Fig. 4 will make apparent that,

when the washing and ironing machines are suitably disposed, as in Fig. 1, the clutches 25 and II are placed in driving relationship wherebythe described rotative movement of gear 2| brings about similar rotation of shaft 33 to drive the ironing machine mechanism. It will further be noted that the described driving connection may I be readily established or broken by simple movement of either the washing machine or ironing machine toward or away from the other.

In order to facilitate coupling between the two structures noted, I provide a mechanism including a lip portion 34 formed in structure 22, as shown, and alatch member 35 which has an inwardly directed end portion 36 adapted to engage lip 34. Latch member 35 is pivotally supported at 31 upon the ironer housing structure If, as shown, and has enlarged top and side portions of suitable proportions to form a cover for the clutch 33 and associated mechanism.

Fig. illustrates that the latch structure 35 has outwardly directed portions 38, and that the outer walls of structure 22 are contracted, the arrangement being adapted to facilitate positioning the ironing machine and washing machine in suitable alignment to provide suitable clutching engagement and operation of members 25 and 33.

It will be noted that the portion of member 33 which forms the hook 36, is made somewhat narrower than the body of the member, and that member 35 carries an abutment member or portion 39 disposed transversely thereof.

The member 39 just mentioned, is positioned to abut the outer face of member 22, and the parts are so proportioned that when hook 36 is engaged behind lip 34, the opposite face of the lip lies in abutment with member 39. It will be clear that, with the parts thus arranged, the hook 36 not only serves to-retain the washing and ironing machine structures in cooperative relationship, but also retains the outer edge of lip 34 in abutment with member 39 whereby the possibility of misalignment of the structures, in the. horizontal plane, is minimized.

Operation of the device is thought to be sumciently apparent to obviate detail description.

when the ironing machine is not being used the latch member 33 is obviously elevated upon pivot 31 so as to disengage hook 33 from lip 34, whereupon the machines may be separated, with resultant disengagement of the driving means. Af-

Yter separation of the machines, the cover 21 may be'rotated to cover the opening in structure 22 to avoid the possibility of manual contact with the rotating clutch 2|.

when it is desired to use the ironing machine in connection with the washing machine mechanism. it is but necessary to position the machines substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, whereupon the latching devices will automatically lock to retain the machines and clutching members in proper relationship.

When using the ironing machine in the above described manner, operation of the roll it thereof may obviously be controlled in the usual manner by means of conventional control devices such as 40 and ll.

The foregoing has described an embodiment of my invention. Modification of the structure and function thereof is obviously possible without alteration of the principle disclosed.

I do not wish to be limited in structure or function except within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:'

A coupling drive mechanism for eflecting a detachable drive connection between a washing machine wringer drive and an ironing machine roll comprising, a vertical shaft on one of said machines, a first gear on said vertical shaft, a bearing member having a bearing disposed with its axis at right angles to said vertical shaft, said bearing member being secured relative to said vertical shaft, a second gear rotatably mounted in said bearing member and meshing with said gear on said vertical shaft, a clutch member secured to said second gear for rotation therewith. a horizontal drive shaft carried by the other machine, a clutch member carried by said horizontal drive shaft and engageable with and disengageable from the first said clutch member, a housing member pivotally connected at one end to said other machine and extending about said horizontal drive shaft and clutch member carried thereby, said housing member pivot axis being horizontal and transverse to the axis of said horizontal shaft and above the shaft, a latch member carried by the other end of said housing member, and a latch member carried by said bearing member and cooperative with the first said latch member for securing said machines together with said clutch members interengaged.

HENRY W. ALTORFER. 

